I use a home made crappie rig with about 6 inch leads coming from my vertical line. One hook is right near the bottom. The other is about 15 inches up. Best way I've found to feel those light bites is to use a good sensitive UL rod and 10 lb power pro braid. The sensitivity difference compared to mono is huge. And personally I try to keep my sinker on the bottom and just pull it up and let it back down as the boat moves around to keep it straight up and down. I keep that rod in my hand and hang a spreader just off the bottom in a rod holder and keep a close eye on it. And when I do get a school of perch going crazy under the boat, I do my best to always have a bait in the water. Helps keep them around and interested. Back out to try it in the morning. Prob be my last day up here this year.